The girl selling goods at the market had never seen money before.

"No, no... Xiaoxuan, you misunderstood. Actually, Zhang Mengli sold the medicine only after confirming that it was safe and would not cause serious harm to the customers. If there are any adverse reactions, she can treat them."

Murong Yao sensed the dissatisfaction in Bai Jinxuan's tone and quickly stepped in to mediate.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinxuan toned down her imposing manner and continued, "So, what stage have you reached in your testing?"

"It's almost finished. The main problem is that I have to keep my research a secret from my family every time, so I can only do my research secretly every week. I can't even find test subjects. If I make any big moves, the housekeeper will catch me..."

Zhang Mengli looked at Murong Yao, her face showing gratitude.

"Fortunately, Murong was willing to cooperate with me, which allowed me to outsource this research to her. In this way, I was freed from constraints, and Murong also had the funds to research Mewtwo."

After saying that, she added earnestly, "I know you are hostile towards me, Miss Bai Jinxuan, but please rest assured, I will not hurt anyone."

Seeing her sincere expression, Bai Jinxuan suddenly realized that she must have other things to say, otherwise there would be no need for her to tell her these things.

Since the other side has already made their move, I definitely need to respond properly.

"Is there anything else you want to say? Go ahead, even if it offends you, it's okay, I won't mind."

"I heard from my classmate Murong that Miss Bai seems to have a shop in the black market?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinxuan's eyes widened as she stared at Murong Yao: "You said that too?"

"I'm sorry... Zhang Mengli's experience is too tragic, I want to help her..." Murong Yao shrank back, her expression innocent.

Bai Jinxuan was speechless. The story of the strong and technologically advanced young lady's tragic experiences has been told. But even if she is tragic, can she be more tragic than the two of us?

Yao Yao is great in every way, except that she's too kind-hearted and easily deceived.

I'll have to give her a good talking-to later, but for now...

She glanced at Zhang Mengli and agreed.

"Yes, I used to run a shop, but after I got to No. 1 Middle School, I didn't have time to go to the black market anymore."

"Then... have you seen this person before?"

Zhang Mengli took out a black and white sketch from her bosom; it was of Bai Qianye.

In that instant, many images flashed through Bai Jinxuan's mind.

Guilds, the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce, the Spider Web Organization, auctions, various powerful families, men in black, the lost artifact...

All the images were mixed together, merging into Bai Qianye's indifferent face.

The surrounding temperature plummeted, and Bai Jinxuan's blood-red pupils suddenly brightened.

"What are you doing with her?"

Her words were cold, and her pupils reflected the image of Zhang Mengli's death.

The next second, she withdrew all her overflowing killing intent, as if nothing had ever happened.

If she were a member of the union and died easily, it would only drag Yao Yao and herself into the vortex.

Calm down and listen to what she has to say. Even if she is a union investigator, as long as you have her information, you won't be exposed.

After all, Long Xiaofeng is still perfectly fine at No. 1 High School. They haven't been exposed yet, so what's there to be afraid of?

Realizing what was happening, Bai Jinxuan added, "You didn't know about the union's announcement, did you?"

"I know... precisely because I know..."

Zhang Mengli glanced at Murong Yao halfway through her sentence.

Immediately afterwards, Murong Yao cast a mind-link spell, bringing the three of them into the 'team voice chat'.

"That's precisely why I need to ask so discreetly... There are very few people with black market experience in the Upper City. Apart from Miss Bai Jinxuan, I dare not ask anyone for information..."

"However, judging from your reaction, Miss Bai Jinxuan, you must know her, right?"

"Are you from the union?"

"no......"

True, does a union need to be so timid when looking for someone? They should just tie them up and interrogate them.

Yao Yao is truly terrifyingly naive. After learning that Zhang Mengli was involved with an 8-star wanted criminal, she still went to help him. She must be tired of living.

Bai Jinxuan took a deep breath and shouted in a stern tone:

“I do know her. She’s an 8-star wanted criminal with a hefty bounty on her head. I’m warning you, and Yao Yao too, the guild kills 8-star wanted criminals without mercy! You two think you can find someone by asking me? Don’t you find that absurd?”

"Is it really that easy to find? Does the guild still need a bounty? Please, use your brain! Who are you? What are your abilities? If you want to die, don't drag me down with you, and definitely don't drag Yao Yao down with you!"

"Of course, if you were a union member, I wouldn't have a problem, but obviously you're not. You just have some money. Do you have any idea how many guys like you died a few weeks ago?"

"I don't care if you're looking for someone or collecting a bounty, don't involve me and Yao Yao, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

Under her angry rebuke, Zhang Mengli and Murong Yao lowered their heads like children who had done something wrong.

This made Bai Jinxuan even more convinced that the two of them were like flowers in a greenhouse, unaware of how big the storms outside were.

No wonder I didn't have any impression of Zhang Mengli; she probably didn't go to the auction.

It's understandable that the advanced technology restricts her movements; such a naive girl is truly unique, even within family and corporate circles.

"I understand, I won't interfere in her affairs anymore..." Zhang Mengli said, clenching her hands tightly.

Yao Yao wanted to say something more.

But Zhang Mengli suddenly lowered her head and bowed to herself.

"Thank you, Miss Bai Jinxuan. You are right. I didn't think things through."

"There's no need for this, Xiaoxuan. Zhang Mengli was just asking..."

Yao Yao is still trying to mediate, but this time, Bai Jinxuan won't back down.

These two are really something else; one's drawing blueprints, the other's searching for some kind of magical artifact... No wonder No. 2 Middle School is so far behind No. 1 Middle School. They have absolutely no understanding of news or intelligence. They're probably just like No. 5 Middle School, spending all their time in class, after class, and sleeping...

He really is like a newborn calf that is not afraid of a tiger.

She shook her head, reached out her left hand, and turned on the smart bracelet.

A pop-up window appeared, listing the families purged by the union, the number of students who dropped out of the high school, and the number of people who died in that execution...

Various data were retrieved one after another, and shocking facts emerged. In the end, all of this was captured in Bai Qianye's sketch.

"It's all her fault," Bai Jinxuan said coldly. "No one who gets involved with her ends up well. I'm not joking. I hope you can understand the situation."

The two fell silent, their expressions utterly shocked.

Upon closer reflection, it's true. They didn't personally experience what happened at the auction, their information was incomplete, and the school's status wasn't high enough that many people could participate in the auction. Therefore, the percentage of students who died or dropped out was not large.

Before I went to No. 1 Middle School, I thought No. 2 Middle School was pretty impressive, but now it seems like it's just a roadside school.

Fortunately, I chose No. 1 High School when I enrolled. If I had been in No. 2 High School, I might have been as innocent as the two people in front of me.

After saying everything she needed to say, Bai Jinxuan wanted to shut up, but Yao Yao and Zhang Mengli weren't going to let her off the hook.

Starting with that intelligence, they became very interested in the situation at No. 1 Middle School, especially Yao Yao, who kept asking questions.

They were shocked when they heard that No. 1 Middle School uses a credit system and that students without credits would be forced to drop out.

When they were told that the school uniform was a magical item and that spending credits could activate special functions, they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Finally, when they heard that many students from No. 1 Middle School had formed adventure teams to go to dungeons to fight monsters and engage in life-or-death adventures, their jaws dropped in astonishment.

It was only after making comparisons that Bai Jinxuan realized that she had unconsciously used No. 1 Middle School as the standard for evaluation.

I thought it was already pathetic that the students from No. 1 High School were begging to join the expedition team with tears streaming down their faces, but little did I know that No. 2 High School was even more pathetic, with all its students doing research and zero practical experience.

No wonder they're holding a competition; No. 2 Middle School is trying to wake up its students and strengthen their practical training.

From this perspective, the senior management of No. 2 Middle School is quite wise, with a long-term strategic vision and quick talent acquisition, managing to snatch Yao Yao away. Unfortunately, overall, resources are still too scarce.

In the past, they could still engage in business and scientific research, but now the main focus of the union has shifted to underground operations and combat. This group of people doesn't know how to fight, and they will be eliminated sooner or later.

No. 2 Middle School is trying to save itself; this competition was probably paid for by their higher-ups to be hosted by No. 1 Middle School...

Times are different.

As Bai Jinxuan reflected on her experience, her confidence in the competition grew even stronger.

This is practically a gift of 2000 points delivered right to my doorstep. I admit that Yao Yao, you have a strong talent for magic and are good at scientific research. With the help of equipment, you can even use high-level magic. But how does that translate into actual combat?

I've also secretly hidden a bit of dark magic!

Hey!

While she was thinking about how to speedrun the race, the three of them arrived at the parking lot. Since Bai Jinxuan didn't have a car at No. 2 Middle School, she boarded Murong Yao's small ship.

Having learned her lesson from last time, this time, as soon as she got into the car, she clung tightly to Murong Yao's waist like an octopus.

"Yaoyao, drive slower."

"Okay, okay, loosen your grip a bit, it's hard for me to drive like this..."

"I don't believe you... You'll definitely speed up secretly, right? Turn on autopilot now, or I won't let go!"

"Um...this car doesn't have autonomous driving."

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinxuan hugged the object even tighter, this time pressing her chest and face against it, transforming into a fully-fledged octopus.

"You're definitely trying to murder me! I never expected you to be like this, Yao Yao! Hurry up and dismantle that Strike Form for me, and then install an autopilot, or I'll get mad at you."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yao knew that Bai Jinxuan was stubborn and that nothing she said would work in this situation.

So she simply started the hovercar silently, ascending at a snail's pace.

"Is this speed alright, Lao Xuan?"

"You can add a tiny bit more, but not too much... Ah—yes, that's the speed!"

Bai Jinxuan ignored the teasing in Murong Yao's words and continued to give instructions: "Turn left, turn right! Wow, Yao Yao, how come your vision is so good? Is that enemy lock on the screen really effective? Is firing a cannon guaranteed to hit?"

"Although it's different from what you said, it can still be done in the way you described."

"so smart?"

"I said... now that the speed is stable, can I loosen my grip a little? I'm about to be cut in half by you."

Murong Yao twisted her waist somewhat awkwardly.

"Okay, I'll trust you this once."

After confirming that it was safe, Bai Jinxuan carefully let go and relaxed a little.

Sensing her state, Murong Yao relaxed a bit and leaned back.

The warm touch made her feel very comfortable.

"Yaoyao, don't get too close to that guy from Qiangjian Technology."

Suddenly, the silver-haired girl's voice rang in my ears.

She seemed to have some issues with Zhang Mengli, and her attitude was slightly averse to her, both from the moment she learned of her existence and after meeting her.

This puzzled Murong Yao greatly, as she considered Zhang Mengli to be a very good person.

She is beautiful, kind-hearted, willing to take responsibility for her mistakes, and doesn't act like a spoiled princess.

In an elite school like No. 2 High School, it is very rare to find such friends. When I first came to No. 2 High School, most people disliked me.

The reason is simple: she's an outsider, someone from outside the circle, someone from the downtown area. They have nothing in common, so no one would bother to approach her, and even if they wanted to, they wouldn't know what to say.

Only Zhang Mengli was willing to befriend her and confide in her.

She knew how dangerous the person named Bai Qianye was, but that was precisely why Zhang Mengli was willing to tell her, an outsider, which showed that she trusted her, which was very rare.

Therefore, in return, Murong Yao also told him her little secret.

Unexpectedly, Bai Jinxuan, who is usually cheerful and generous, had such a big opinion about her.

After thinking for a while, she asked, puzzled, "Why? Is Zhang Mengli really that disliked?"

"Not really. His character isn't anything special, he's kind of dull and simple-minded... well... it's mainly his family. None of the rich people in the upper district are good people."

"What does this have to do with Zhang Mengli? She's innocent..."

"..."

Bai Jinxuan hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Her previous statements about the 8-star wanted criminal were facts she was certain of, which is why she could say them so openly. But now, when it comes to Zhang Mengli, it's different. She doesn't actually know much about Zhang Mengli.